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His owner Maxine Dorey, who has had two-year-old Jango since he was a kitten, said she warns to warn other people nearby of the incident, which happened on July 18.

“It’s upsetting to think that someone could have done this deliberately to him," she said.

“The vet first thought he’d been bitten through his leg by another cat and gave him antibiotics but when the wound wouldn’t heal we went back and the pellet was discovered.

“I was shocked to hear that he’d been shot and want other people to be aware of what has happened. I’d hate for another animal to be hurt or killed by whoever has done this.”

The cat was shot somewhere near Birkham Hill in Yelverton (Image: Google Maps)

RSPCA inspector Claire Ryder said the charity is appealing for information to catch those responsible.

She said: “We are really keen to try and find out who is responsible and urge anyone who has any information about who did this to contact us in complete confidence on 0300 123 8018.

“It is very distressing to think that people take pleasure in causing such horrific injuries to defenceless animals. This appears to have been a deliberate act of cruelty which has left Jango with a broken leg.

“Unfortunately, air rifle attacks are not as rare as we would like and sadly the injuries caused by such attacks are horrific and often fatal.

"We are backing calls by the Cats Protection who are calling for tighter controls with better education and explanation of the law when buying an airgun and that everyone must receive basic safety training before being allowed to walk out of the shop.

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“These weapons cause horrific pain and suffering and anyone caught deliberately using an airgun to injure an animal can face up to six months in prison and an unlimited fine if found guilty under the Animal Welfare Act.”

Last year, the RSPCA received 890 calls to its 24-hour cruelty hotline reporting airgun attacks with cats and wildlife most susceptible to attacks because they are out in the open with no one to protect them.

To help the RSPCA you can give £3 by texting LOVE to 87023 (text costs £3 + one standard network rate message).